Union County Year in Review

Fall 2008

Lady Falcons hand West Union their first loss of the slow pitch season

In one of the most exciting games of the regular season, Ingomar bettered West Union 14-11, handing the Lady Eagles their first loss of the 2008 season.

Both teams combined for 19 runs over two innings after Ingomar took the early 3-1 advantage. West Union responded, going ahead 6-3 in the fourth, and 11-4 in the fifth before the Lady Falcons' seniors stepped up in the final innings.

Led by a three-run triple by Lyndi Kidd and a two-run homer by Natalie Frenn, Ingomar again took the lead 13-11 before moving on for the win. Kidd finished 4-for-4 in the game, while Frenn and fellow senior Maggie Cobb went 2-for-4.

This would not be the only time the two teams would meet with a lot on the line, as they squared off in the first round of the playoffs. Ingomar again topped the defending North Half champs, making it as far as the North Half title series before falling to Smithville.

 

New Albany falls to Pontotoc, 21-20 in thrilling 2 OT game

The Bulldogs were thinking playoffs in their showdown with the Warriors, and New Albany fell inches short to topping Pontotoc in a game that went to double overtime.

Leading 14-0 at the half, New Albany allowed the Warriors to come back in the second half and watched as Pontotoc tied the game as Canden Dallas scored a 33-yard touchdown and completed the two-point conversion. The Warriors had a chance to win the game in regulation, but a blocked field goal attempt forced overtime.

After neither team scored in the first overtime period, Pontotoc struck first in the second OT, as Ryan Thompson caught a 10-yard pass from Dallas. New Albany would respond on a five-yard pass from Drew Dodds to Will Frierson.

Head coach Ron Price took a gamble going for the win with a two-point conversion try. Kareem Brown fell inches short on a controversial call, giving Pontotoc the win and eventually the advantage for the fourth seed in the 4A playoffs.

Myrtle tops West Union 6-5 in eight innings to win slow pitch division title

The Lady Eagles need a four-run win over county rival Myrtle to pick up the Division 4-1A title, and had the advantage until the sixth inning when Myrtle stormed back.

Down 5-1, Myrtle loaded the bases, and Danielle Hogue scored first to tighten the game, and a single by Brittany McCullough and another walk of Brandi Smith cut West Union's lead to 5-4.

Myrtle would tie the game in the seventh, and with the regional championship already in the hands of the Lady Hawks, the two teams continued to battle into extra innings before Myrtle eventually won the game off a double to right center by Leslie Miller.

Myrtle would fall in the first round of the 1A playoffs to the eventual North Half champion Smithville Lady Seminoles, but the Lady Hawks had an overall successful season, capped off by their coach, Robert Gordon winning the 300th game of his coaching career.

Winter 2008-09

Lady Bulldogs start 2008-09 season 15-0

New Albany fans had a pleasant surprise in the 08-09 school year, as they watched their Lady 'Dawgs start off 15-0, led by an 8th grader.

Early January was the setting for the premier showdown in Union County, as Jazmine Spears and New Albany took on Aspriona Gilbert and Myrtle. The two youngsters led their respective clubs in several categories, and the game lived up to all the hype, as Myrtle edged New Albany 50-49, handing the Lady Bulldogs their first loss.

Spears found herself in early foul trouble, picking up her third foul at the 6:08 mark in the second quarter. Myrtle took advantage of the loss in the paint, as New Albany had a hard time matching up to Gilbert down low.

Gilbert finished the game with 24 points, while Micha Washington led New Albany with 19. New Albany would go on to win their division, and with only three loses, made their way into the playoffs before falling to Forest Hill during the State Tournament in Jackson, ending the year 27-5.

Hawks, Lady 'Dawgs win Union County Tourney

There were no surprises, as the favorites took the Union County Tourney crowns in the basketball tournament, held at East Union.

Myrtle had two close games versus East Union and Ingomar enroute to their tournament victory, while the Lady Bulldogs avenged their loss earlier in the season against the Lady Hawks, picking up the championship.

Russ Yates and David Wilson each led the Hawks with 15 points in their three-point win over Ingomar, while Jazmine Spears did not find herself in foul trouble this time around, scoring 22 points in the Lady 'Dawgs victory.

 

Spring 2009

Union County Cheerleaders Bring it On

Union County had a lot to cheer about in 2008-09, as county cheerleaders picked up several honors throughout the school year.

New Albany continued their excellence, as they picked up a first place finish in regional competition, as well as a bid to the 2009 UCA Cheerleading Competition in Orlando, Fla.

NAHS would also compete in the dance division at the Dixie National Competition, held in Tupelo.

On the other end of the county, Myrtle's cheerleading squad picked up two state titles in 08-09. Myrtle's girls picked up titles in both the pom and dance divisions, which are just two of several state championships Myrtle Attendance Center picked up during the school year.

Hawks fall to Coldwater in 1A State Championship, Lady Hawks fall in Semifinals

Myrtle basketball saw a lot of success during the school year, as the Lady Hawks made it to the state semifinals in 1A, while they Hawks fell in the final moments of the state championship, a game they've now been in two of the past three seasons.

The Lady Hawks battled from an eight-point deficit at the half, but could not overcome McAdams in the semifinals, falling 57-54 in Jackson.

Myrtle's boys took the North Half title in their first win over Coldwater of the season, but could not make it two in a row over the Cougars, falling 73-71.

The Hawks battled back, as they were down by 10 at the half, but every time Myrtle was close, Coldwater would have an answer.

Myrtle will return several key starters in 2009, including Russ Yates, Jimel Judon, Beau Cummings and David Wilson.

UNC head coach Roy Williams visits New Albany

New Albany residents had a pleasant surprise during the 2009 Kiwanis Hotbed Classic, as North Carolina and legendary college basketball coach Roy Williams visited to watch on of his recruits during the day-long tournament.

Leslie McDonald was the lucky recruit Williams had his eye on. The senior at Briarcrest has inked to play for the Tarheels, despite that, Williams showing at the Classic filled Memorial Gym with excitement.

"I was a high school coach for five years and I love to support high school athletics," Williams said. "If you are a basketball coach that don't enjoy going to see good high school basketball you are quite crazy."

East Union goes undefeated in fast pitch regular season

A rain-plagued regular season shorted many softball and baseball schedules in the county, but East Union had no problems breezing through, as they were a perfect 16-0 heading into the 2A playoffs.

Led by senior Stephanie Dillard and younger sister Heather, as well as superior pitching from Alie Haynie and Savannah Alexander, the Lady Urchins looked to be a force to reckon with, until they reached the playoffs.

Despite high expectations, East Union fell in the first round to Water Valley, picking up their only two losses of the season.

Only losing Stephanie Dillard to graduation, the Lady Urchins return all other starters in 2010, which could lead to more success on the field.